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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Sergey V. Konovalov, Sergey V. Putvinsky
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 18 | Number 3 | November 1990 | Pages 397-402
Alpha Particles in Fusion Research | Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST90-A29273
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The influence of static helical perturbations on high-energy ion motion in tokamaks is investigated. Numerical solutions of drift motion equations are in good agreement with analytic estimations of the critical amplitude value that is sufficient for destruction of drift surfaces. Three types of perturbations are considered: large-scale helical modes with wide regions of localization comparable with the plasma column radius, small-scale modes localized near the resonant magnetic surfaces, and balloon-like modes. For all three cases, high perturbation amplitudes are needed for destruction of drift surfaces. The static helical perturbation does not appear to lead to noticeable high-energy particle losses in tokamaks until the perturbation amplitude exceeds the value sufficient for magnetic surface destruction.